Approval of Records
February 24, 2003
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
January 22, 2003
The School Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Natick High School Cafeteria. Chair Broekel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland,
Diane Packer, Kristine Van Amsterdam, Ted Wynne
Others present: James J. Connolly Superintendent
Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Kristen St. George Kennedy Middle School Principal
Ruth Evans Wilson Middle School Principal
Community Members, Parents,
Staff & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of December 16, 2002. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the School Committee Meeting minutes of January 6, 2003. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the School Committee Meeting minutes of January 8, 2003. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the School Committee Meeting minutes of January 13, 2003. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Broekel asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Broekel announced that the 21st annual “Journey Into a Dream” musical tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held on Sunday, January 26 at 2:30 p.m. in the Natick High School Auditorium. This performance is presented by Hemisphere Associates and sponsored by the Natick Cultural Arts Council Tickets are $10.00 per person & $5.00 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at the door or in advance from Paradise Photo & Video, 21 Main Street. The proceeds for this performance will go to the Harriet F. Siegel Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Chair Broekel reported that a letter has been prepared to send to our State Legislators with recommendation to help with the current budget crisis.
Chair Broekel extended her thanks to Peter Henderson and other members of the Natick High School custodial staff for their work in the set up and breakdown of the cafeteria in order that School Committee meetings could be held there.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON PROSPECTIVE CHANGES TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM
Mr. Connolly provided an outline for this evening's presentation on prospective changes to the Middle School Program. Mr. Schettini provided a recap of the presentation given on January 15 and provided more detailed information on time allocation, flexible use of time and reviewed various sample student schedules. Wilson Middle School 8th grade team teachers, Ms. Jeanne Watts, Mr. Ken Doyle and Ms. Martha Curran, discussed the benefits of team teaching. Ms. Heather Bishop, ELA Teacher at Kennedy Middle School discussed how the needs of all learners in a classroom are met. Mrs. Karen Maguire, Health Teacher at Kennedy Middle School, discussed the advantages of a wellness program.
Chair Broekel asked if anyone wished to speak or forward a question. The following is a summary of concerns/comments/questions
· Students from Kennedy Middle School presented a petition to the School Committee which was circulated to students to sign if they agreed with the following: “If you do not want our school to change by having no studies, honors, or have longer math and English classes - sign below.”
· How do you address under challenged students?
· How will you hold teachers accountable for differentiated learning/teaching within their classrooms? Will teachers receive training if they want it?
· How will you measure success of this plan? How will the teacher team be held accountable? How long will you give this plan to succeed or accept defeat?
· Does Kennedy or Wilson hold the NEASC accreditation?
· Curriculum issues - Keyboarding, foreign languages, world languages - what grades? How do they fit?
· Are there any classes for organizational skills in this curriculum?
· Will there still be reading specialists? Title I?
· How will the Kennedy and Wilson programs be kept comparable over time? What forums will allow coordination across the two schools to ensure they don't diverge over time?
· Band: By 7th grade band classes are cut by 30%. Band then seems to be expendable. Why then, is band the highest weighted class at the high school and determines the top 10 in class rank?
· What evaluative measure for 8th graders will be available/utilized to facilitate proper course level selection in 9th grade?
· With flexible grouping: How are student's work graded? With multiple level learners in the same classroom, but given different levels of work, is it "fair" to grade according to "best of their ability" standards?
· More explanation of the schedule is needed - much confusion - time doesn't seem to add up
· Will there be any scheduled time for teachers to routinely meet with parents?
· Do 90 minute blocks of time in math and English mean less homework because more subject matter will be covered in school
· Please include the special education considerations with this approach. It would be only appropriate to have a representative speak to how these needs would be met specifically.
· Questions pertaining to teacher training.
Chair Broekel announced that the School Committee will hold a public hearing on the FY2004 budget at the Morse Library on February 3 and will be back to the high school on February 24 to continue discussions on the prospective changes to the Middle School program.
TO ACCEPT DONATION FROM A.K. PETERS LTD.
Chair Broekel moved for approval to accept a donation from A.K. Peters, Ltd. for math, computer and robotic books with a retail value of $1,675.65. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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